Harris’ email also singles out a Portsmouth resident, Sameen Farouk, who had questioned the council on their plans for the Portsmouth leg of the America’s Cup sailing race.

He asks whether there is a way to contact West Sussex council, where Farouk works, to get him sanctioned by his bosses.

Portsmouth city council deputy chief executive and city solicitor Michael Lawther told the Guardian: ‘We understand that letters of apology have been sent, by Cllr Harris, to those mentioned in his email.

‘The email he sent is clearly private correspondence between councillors and other people.’